> [[the-carmelite-manual|← Cover]] | [[the-carmelite-manual-toc|TOC]] | [[js-cm-02|Feasts and Fasts Throughout the Year →]] # Holy Water Is placed at the entrance of our churches, to remind us of our baptism, of the obligations we then took upon ourselves, and of the sanctity both of mind and body we ought to bring with us. Frequently on Sundays the officiating priest sprinkles both himself and the congregation therewith, as a preparation for the sacrifice, hoping to participate with the faithful all the blessings the church prayed for in blessing the water. Salt, as it preserves bodies which are sprinkled with it from putrefaction, is an emblem of the grace of God, which alone can preserve our souls from the corruption of sin, and it is mixt with the water to keep it sweet; and the one and the other are solemnly consecrated, that is to say, are withdrawn from all profane uses, to be applied only to those of religion. The church attributes no supernatural effect to this sanctified water, but what it may please God to grant to it, in order to shew the efficacy of the prayers of his church, or to recompense the faith of such as use it with the respect due to what hath been consecrated and set apart for the uses of religion. The faithful therefore are to receive this sprinkling of water with great humility, and a sorrow for their sins, reciting the 50th Psalm whole or in part: And afterwards to take some of the water home with them to use with faith and piety, according to the intention and very ancient practice of the church, at getting up and going to bed; in storms of thunder and lightning; in times of temptation and sickness. --- ![[maps/bibliography#^biblio-spratt]] > [[the-carmelite-manual|← Cover]] | [[the-carmelite-manual-toc|TOC]] | [[js-cm-02|Feasts and Fasts Throughout the Year →]]